Local

‘Always smiling’: Friend of victim thrown off bridge says she’s heartbroken

ROME, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News is hearing for the first time from a close friend of one of the women found thrown off a bridge in Rome.

Three men are now facing murder charges in the deaths of 18-year-old Vanita Richardson and 30-year-old Truvenia Campbell.

Police said Richardson and Campbell were found thrown off the Etowah Bridge in Floyd County in May. Both women had bags over their heads.

Natalie Haney said she is still heartbroken over the death of her best friend, Richardson. She said the arrests don't bring her much relief.

"Vanita, every time I saw her, it didn't matter if she was in a bad mood," Haney said. "She was always smiling. She was always ready to make someone feel better."

Haney said that  when the bodies were found, she prayed it wasn't someone she knew.

RELATED STORIES:

“I never thought it would be my best friend,” Haney said.

Haney said the news that three men were arrested didn't bring her closure because she thinks there are still more people involved. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation  announced Thursday that Desmond Lavonta Brown, 28, Devin Lashawn Watts, 36, and Christopher Leedarius Pullen, 23, have been charged with felony murder in their deaths.

The GBI has not elaborated on who they are still looking for, but said they charged the suspects after finding a key piece of evidence, Richardson's car.

“We have found that vehicle,” investigators said.  “We have it.  We are processing it and we appreciate the assistance of the public… all the tips that came in about that vehicle.”

Haney said Richardson knew the men police believe killed her, but so far, the GBI has said nothing about a motive.

“Vanita didn’t even get to start her life yet, and they took it from her,” Haney said.

The GBI has not revealed specifics on how the women died.